Cubs Trade Rob Bowen and Jerry Blevins for Jason Kendall

[Soriano12]

How come the Cubs don't realize that Koyie Hill is compete and utter crap

:?:

 

Cubs pitchers would beg to differ.

 

He is an automatic out every time in the lineup. Right now the Cubs are getting by because the rest of the offense is picking up the slack, but as the season progresses that production is not acceptable.

[Schwarber Fan]

I agree with you Neifi. It makes me wonder if wasn't a brief showcase for another trade. What is the Reds catching situation like? Might he be a chip they would be interested in for Griffey?

 

There's no way this is a precursor to another trade. Hendry clearly wanted to bolster the offense at the catcher's spot and his idea of this is Kendall. The Reds have 3 catchers already anyway - two of whom are probably better than Kendall (Ross and Valentin)

[Derwood]

How come the Cubs don't realize that Koyie Hill is compete and utter crap

:?:

 

Cubs pitchers would beg to differ.

 

this is a good point. catcher is usually not counted on for much offense (esp. in the NL), so if a catcher is liked by his staff, he is likely to get a free pass with a weak bat.

[Banedon]

I wonder what the Cubs pitchers thought of Bowen then?

[Bruce Miles]

How come the Cubs don't realize that Koyie Hill is compete and utter crap

:?:

 

Cubs pitchers would beg to differ.

 

He is an automatic out every time in the lineup. Right now the Cubs are getting by because the rest of the offense is picking up the slack, but as the season progresses that production is not acceptable.

 

I'm not disagreeing about his offense. All I'm doing is pointing out what I hear directly from the pitchers, including one Mr. Z.

[Bruce Miles]

I wonder what the Cubs pitchers thought of Bowen then?

 

For the last four weeks, they've been thrilled with who has been behind the plate.

[USSoccer]

I wonder what the Cubs pitchers thought of Bowen then?

 

For the last four weeks, they've been thrilled with who has been behind the plate.

 

Which is why I'm concerned about bringing in a catcher who's defensive ability isn't what it used to be.

[Bruce Miles]

I wonder what the Cubs pitchers thought of Bowen then?

 

For the last four weeks, they've been thrilled with who has been behind the plate.

 

Which is why I'm concerned about bringing in a catcher who's defensive ability isn't what it used to be.

 

Good point and one worth keeping an eye on.

[C.C.]

I wonder what the Cubs pitchers thought of Bowen then?

 

For the last four weeks, they've been thrilled with who has been behind the plate.

 

Which is why I'm concerned about bringing in a catcher who's defensive ability isn't what it used to be.

 

Good point and one worth keeping an eye on.

 

The Oakland staff seemed to like him quite a bit.

[JeffH]

Bruce, around baseball, is Michael Barrett generally considered to be "baseball dumb" or to have "poor baseball instincts" or however you want to phrase it?

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce, around baseball, is Michael Barrett generally considered to be "baseball dumb" or to have "poor baseball instincts" or however you want to phrase it?

 

However you want to phrase it.

[Schwarber Fan]

Kendall-Hill will be our 6th catching combo of the season :shock:

 

Barrett-Blanco

Barrett-Hill

Bowen-Hill

Bowen-Hill-Soto

Hill-Soto

Kendall-Hill

[USSoccer]

Bruce, is there any more love for Aramis in the press box after not only signing for below market value, but being the team's best offensive player (again)?

[hankp101]

There's no way this is a precursor to another trade. Hendry clearly wanted to bolster the offense at the catcher's spot and his idea of this is Kendall. The Reds have 3 catchers already anyway - two of whom are probably better than Kendall (Ross and Valentin)

 

I meant that Soto might be included in an upcoming trade, and that this weekend was his final showcase for whoever is interested in him. I have little doubt Kendall is our catcher for the duration of this season, for better or for worse.

[WindyCity]

The Oakland staff seemed to like him quite a bit.

 

 

Sure sounds like it (link):

 

Right-hander Chad Gaudin has been a pleasant surprise to the rotation, and he gives the credit to Kendall.

 

"He does everything you could ask for and more," Gaudin said. "He's definitely one of the reasons why I've been doing as well as I've been doing, and he's one of the big reasons why I've found a home here in Oakland. He pretty much took control of what I did and taught me a lot about myself and a lot about the game."

 

Closer Huston Street offered similar praise.

 

"When I was a rookie and got the Rookie of the Year award, every pitch I threw was because Jason called it and I trusted him," Street said. "Unfortunately for a lot of us who trusted him, it's going to be a difficult transition."

 

I'll give this move a chance to see if it pays off -- the early response from the Oakland players gives me hope that there is more to Kendall's potential impact than just his bat.

[Elrhino]

How come the Cubs don't realize that Koyie Hill is compete and utter crap

:?:

 

Cubs pitchers would beg to differ.

 

He is an automatic out every time in the lineup. Right now the Cubs are getting by because the rest of the offense is picking up the slack, but as the season progresses that production is not acceptable.

 

I'm not disagreeing about his offense. All I'm doing is pointing out what I hear directly from the pitchers, including one Mr. Z.

 

I think this point is lost so often. Its fine to use statistical tools to evaluate players, however sometimes people get so completely lost in a statistical bubble that they completely ignore human behavour. Its fine to throw up some numbers that state that Michael Barrett had no negative impact on the Cubs, however the statistics aren't showing that HE WAS IN A FREAKING FISTFIGHT IN THE DUGOUT WITH OUR ACE PITCHER IN THE MIDDLE OF A GAME !!! Hello !!!

 

If you want a rookie catcher behind the plate based on his AAA numbers, fine. That doesn't mean the pitching staff wants him here in the middle of a pennant chase. Guess who's opinion matters?

Edited July 17, 2007 by Elrhino

[CubmanPi]

I wonder what the Cubs pitchers thought of Bowen then?

 

For the last four weeks, they've been thrilled with who has been behind the plate.

 

Which is why I'm concerned about bringing in a catcher who's defensive ability isn't what it used to be.

Except Cubs catchers this year have committed more errors (7) than Kendall (4), allowed more passed balls (11) than Kendall (7), and thrown out base runners at a lower rate (.181) than Kendall (.202). I realize Barrett is to blame for a decent amount of this, but Koyie Hill has also sent more ground balls into center field from behind the plate than he has from in the batter's box. Kendall is no stud anymore, but his defense is still an upgrade, sadly enough.

[moorecg]

I wonder what the Cubs pitchers thought of Bowen then?

 

For the last four weeks, they've been thrilled with who has been behind the plate.

 

Do you sense any apprehension among them with this move?

[WrigleyinEngland]

If someone points out again that we never should of traded Barrett i think i might headbutt my pc!!! It was clearly not just Z who didn't get on with Barrett. Floyd made a statement about someone in the clubhouse' not being part of the family, we don't want that guy here' the next week Barrett is traded. Issue over we couldn't keep Barrett without causing major issues in the clubhouse. Kendall is not ideal but outside Pasada (cue Vance!!) who else could Hendry of looked at without giving up significant prospects?? you want Salty from the Braves? kiss goodbye to a combination of Marshall/Hill/Pie/Veal/Gallagher. It would probably of taken 3 of those guys to get Salty. I agree that Hendry needs to do more and get us an upgrade at RF,CF or SS but we're really no worse off than we were before, and most importantly we're winning!!

[RynoRules]

Bruce, around baseball, is Michael Barrett generally considered to be "baseball dumb" or to have "poor baseball instincts" or however you want to phrase it?

 

However you want to phrase it.

 

Anyone still want to debate whether the picthers wanted Barrett to be traded?

[NCCubFan]

He is an automatic out every time in the lineup.

Yep; like in the third inning last night, for example.

 

Oh, wait.

[RynoRules]

He is an automatic out every time in the lineup.

Yep; like in the third inning last night, for example.

 

Oh, wait.

 

To be fair, didn't he kill a rally in the 7th with a DP?

[Soriano12]

He is an automatic out every time in the lineup.

Yep; like in the third inning last night, for example.

 

Oh, wait.

 

And what was the point of that post? It doesn't change the fact that he has a whopping career OPS of 579. That is basically an auto out.

[NCCubFan]

He is an automatic out every time in the lineup.

Yep; like in the third inning last night, for example.

 

Oh, wait.

 

And what was the point of that post? It doesn't change the fact that he has a whopping career OPS of 579. That is basically an auto out.

I was pointing out that you were overstating things (although admittedly not by much). He's horrible, but not quite an automatic out. Having said that, though, I'd still much rather have Soto as backup catcher.

[UBlink]

I wonder what the Cubs pitchers thought of Bowen then?

 

For the last four weeks, they've been thrilled with who has been behind the plate.

 

Presumably that includes Soto as well?